Is the KIA Seltos more reliable than the Toyota C-HR?

Based on our data, the Toyota C-HR is more reliable with an average score of 74/100 compared to 73/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the KIA Seltos or the Toyota C-HR?

The KIA Seltos has more recalls (7) compared to the Toyota C-HR (6). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the KIA Seltos or the Toyota C-HR?

Adjusted for sales volume, the KIA Seltos has a lower complaint rate at 16.1 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 25.6 for the Toyota C-HR. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Is the KIA Seltos or Toyota C-HR safer?

Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the KIA Seltos has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Toyota C-HR. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.

Last updated: 2026-07-26

KIA Seltos vs Toyota C-HR: Reliability Compared

KIA Seltos

Good

More Reliable

Toyota C-HR

Good

Choosing between the KIA Seltos and the Toyota C-HR? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two compact suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Toyota C-HR currently leads with an average score of 74/100 compared to 73/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the KIA Seltos and Toyota C-HR Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the KIA Seltos remains in its first generation (SP2), which began in 2021 and has undergone two facelifts, in 2022 and 2024. This positions the Seltos late in its generation cycle, suggesting that many initial issues have likely been resolved, enhancing its reliability. The model's mature platform benefits from refinements over the years, making it a well-sorted option for buyers. In contrast, the Toyota C-HR is in its second generation (AX20), which was introduced in 2023. Being relatively new, this generation might still be ironing out early production issues. The previous first generation (2018–2022) had a facelift in 2020, indicating a history of periodic updates aimed at improving reliability.

Verdict

The Toyota C-HR is more reliable than the KIA Seltos, scoring 74/100 vs 73/100.

The Toyota C-HR demonstrates slightly better reliability with an average score of 76/100 compared to the KIA Seltos' 73/100. Despite having one more recall, the Seltos boasts a lower owner complaint rate of 16.1 per 10,000 sold, whereas the C-HR records 25.6. However, the C-HR's estimated annual repair cost of $441 offers a clearer financial picture, which is missing for the Seltos. Both models share similar issue areas, but the C-HR edges ahead in overall reliability metrics.

Key Differences

1KIA Seltos has 9.5 fewer complaints per 10k sold
2Toyota C-HR scores 1 points higher in reliability
3Toyota C-HR has 1 fewer total recalls

Category Scoreboard

2KIA Seltos

—

2Toyota C-HR

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

KIA Seltos vs Toyota C-HR: Which Is More Reliable?

KIA Seltos vs Toyota C-HR at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	KIA Seltos	Toyota C-HR
Reliability Score	73/100	74/100
Years Tracked	6	5
Total Recalls	7	6
Complaints per 10k Sold	16.1	25.6
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2022 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	0	2

What Are the Common Problems With the KIA Seltos and Toyota C-HR?

The KIA Seltos and Toyota C-HR exhibit distinct problem profiles despite having a similar total number of complaints. The KIA Seltos shows a significant concentration of issues in the engine category with 177 complaints, including a crash-linked incident, and electrical system issues with 70 complaints, three of which are crash-linked. In contrast, the Toyota C-HR is predominantly affected by power train problems, tallying 305 complaints with four crash-linked, which is markedly higher than the Seltos in this area. Both models have similar air bag-related concerns, each with seven crash-linked complaints, indicating a shared vulnerability in safety systems.

KIA Seltos vs Toyota C-HR common problem areas comparison
Component	KIA Seltos	Toyota C-HR
POWER TRAIN	2.5Low	16High
ENGINE	5.5Average	0.9Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1.9Low	3.3Average
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2.2Low	1.8Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	1.6Low	—None
AIR BAGS	0.3Very Low	0.4Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.1Very Low	0.6Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	0.2Very Low	0.3Very Low
STEERING	0.2Very Low	0.3Very Low
STRUCTURE	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
PARKING BRAKE	—None	0.2Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	0.2Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.1Very Low	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	0.1Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY	0.1Very Low	—None
SEAT BELTS	—None	0.1Very Low

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: KIA Seltos or Toyota C-HR?

Based on independent repair cost data, the Toyota C-HR incurs an annual repair cost of $441. While specific figures for the KIA Seltos are unavailable, the C-HR's cost can serve as a benchmark for comparison. If we consider the C-HR's cost as an average, this could translate to approximately $2,205 over five years. Without specific data on repair frequency and major repair risk for both models, it is challenging to decisively determine the better value. However, the predictability of the C-HR’s costs may appeal to cost-conscious buyers. If the Seltos demonstrates lower repair frequency or risk, it could also be a strong contender, but the lack of detailed data makes the C-HR a safer financial prediction.

How Does KIA Seltos vs Toyota C-HR Reliability Compare by Year?

KIA Seltos vs Toyota C-HR year-by-year reliability scores
Year	KIA Seltos	Toyota C-HR	Edge
2022	72/1001R / 69C	80/1000R / 2C	Toyota C-HR
2021	59/1002R / 346C	77/1001R / 32C	Toyota C-HR

Best years to cross-shop: The 2022 KIA Seltos scored 72/100 and the 2022 Toyota C-HR scored 80/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the KIA Seltos vs the Toyota C-HR?

If you prioritize a slightly higher reliability score and are comfortable with a modest annual repair cost, the Toyota C-HR might be a better fit for you. With a reliability score of 76/100 and an estimated annual repair cost of $441, the C-HR offers a dependable option with fewer recalls and manageable maintenance expenses. However, it's important to note that the C-HR has a higher rate of owner complaints at 25.6 per 10,000 sold, which could indicate minor annoyances. On the other hand, if you prefer a vehicle with fewer owner complaints, the KIA Seltos could be more appealing. Despite its slightly lower reliability score of 73/100, the Seltos has only 16.1 owner complaints per 10,000 sold, suggesting a better owner satisfaction rate. Keep in mind, though, that the Seltos has experienced more recalls, totaling seven, which might require more vigilance in addressing potential issues.

KIA Seltos vs Toyota C-HR: Common Questions

Is the KIA Seltos more reliable than the Toyota C-HR?: Based on our data, the Toyota C-HR is more reliable with an average score of 74/100 compared to 73/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the KIA Seltos or the Toyota C-HR?: The KIA Seltos has more recalls (7) compared to the Toyota C-HR (6). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the KIA Seltos or the Toyota C-HR?: Adjusted for sales volume, the KIA Seltos has a lower complaint rate at 16.1 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 25.6 for the Toyota C-HR. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Is the KIA Seltos or Toyota C-HR safer?: Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the KIA Seltos has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Toyota C-HR. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.

More KIA Seltos comparisons

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More Toyota C-HR comparisons

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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